ABOUT ME
Starr Essence, a proud Detroit native, graduated with honors from Murray-Wright High School and went on to become the first in her family to attend an out-of-state HBCU, Tennessee State University. With a passion for education and community empowerment, she founded MorningStar International, Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to youth development in college prep, entrepreneurship, mental health, mentoring, and financial literacy.
With over 15 years in higher education, Starr is committed to uplifting others and creating opportunities for success. A natural leader and connector, she thrives on inspiring change, building relationships, and making a lasting impact.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Success in college isn’t just about good grades—it requires strategic planning, financial resources, mentorship, and networking. But how much of that is shared in K-12?
Guide Me To College: 10 Vital Steps Every Urban Youth Needs For College is a powerful
resource equipping students and parents with essential college prep and life skills. Starr Essence shares real-life stories, expert strategies, and insights from 20+ years in nonprofit, higher education, and business. As the founder of MorningStar International, Inc., she provides a roadmap for urban youth to thrive in college and beyond.
10 VITAL STEPS
Step 1: Understanding Why College is Important For—You
“Completing your education is essential to your success, as one of the main reasons why students drop out of college is due to lack of academic preparation and financial support.”
“Did you know only about 20,000 students out of approximately 21 million who are expected to attend American colleges and universities receive a scholarship? Shocking!”
Step 2: Do Your Homework—Research
“Applying for scholarships and grants provides a financial benefit because it allows you to know the type of financial support you will need to pay for college.”
Step 3. Let Others Pay for College—Scholarships & Grants
“Writing an essay for scholarships doesn’t sound cool but being awarded a one hundred-thousand-dollar or a million dollars in scholarships is cool.”
Step 4: Create A Strategic Success Plan—GRIND
“Statistic shows that African-American students are behind in Language Arts skills, which suggest that they’re behind in other subjects as well.”
Step 5: Beware of the Big Bad Wolf—DEBT
“If you believe that going to college will add value to your personal and/or professional growth, then I recommend that you only borrow what you need and not a penny more.”
Step 6: Create a level of - Confidence
“Selecting a college that compliments with who you are enables you to focus more on obtaining greatness.”
Step 7: Actively seek your #1 best friend—Internship
“Let your haters be one of the driving forces to catapult your dreams and unleash your true potential.”
Step 8: Pay no attention to haters or naysayers—Persevere
“You are competing for career and business opportunities before, during, and after college.”
Step 9: Be connected—Network
“There is no one-path journey for all students. However, there are various resources that can help all students achieve an intended end—the attendance and completion of one’s college education.”
Step 10: Keep Yourself Accountable—Journal
“To journal means to record your life greatest moments via paper, tablet, laptop or a computer.”
“Writing your vision helps you to be accountable to the goals, ideas, dreams, visions, and even thoughts that you desire at a moment in time.”
Guide Me to College Self Care Kit
What's Included In the Self Care Kit
- Guide Me To College
- Book and Journal
- Aromatherapy Spray
- Candle
- Candle Holder
- Affirmation Cards
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Other Services:
FEATURES
